Gerard Willem Oosterwyk

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Nellie Oosterwyk, his son Peter Oosterwyk, son-in-law Jerry Harding, and his 12 brothers and sisters.

Gerard will be greatly missed by daughters Marja Oosterwyk of Marysville, WA and Rietta (Oosterwyk) Harding of Kittitas, WA; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Harding, and son, Aidan, Alicia (Les) Reed, and children, Morgan, Aislynn, Allison, and Ellie, and Jennifer Harding all of Marysville, WA; as well as numerous loved extended family and friends.

Gerard spent his childhood in his hometown of Boskoop where at the age of 17 he met the love of his life Nellie. The two were separated by war when Gerard was taken to a forced labor camp in Germany. Nearly three years later the labor camp was liberated and Gerard made his way back to the Netherlands where he and Nellie married February 13, 1946. Gerard started a bakery in Soestdijk where he baked for the Dutch Royal family for five years. During his time at Soestdijk his children Peter (1946) and Marja (1949) were born.

Gerard and his family immigrated to the United States in 1951. He obtained a job baking for the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC where his daughter Rietta (1953) was born. In 1954 Gerard drove his family across the U.S. to Washington where he made Marysville his permanent home. In 1955 Gerard purchased the Marysville Home Bakery, later named Oosterwyk’s Dutch Bakery, which has been family owned for 59 years. Baking was a passion for Gerard. Gerard, a master baker, could be found baking in the bakery well past his 90th birthday. Even at the age of 93, Gerard readily recalled recipes and eagerly gave baking advice.

Gerard greatly enjoyed and cherished his family. He shared a special bond with his five Great-Grandchildren who will all miss their Opa immensely.

A viewing will be held on Friday, October 24th from 10:00 to 5:00pm at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 2:00pm at Cascade Christian Reformed Church, 13908 51st Ave NE Marysville, WA 98271. If you wish to make a donation in Gerard’s name, please consider donating to Hand in Hand, a local charity for children, 14 E. Casino Road, Suite E, Everett, WA 98208. Arrangements under the direction of Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home, Marysville, WA.